Programme of activities of the Latvian presidency

Details

14 January 2015

Ian Hudghton (Greens/EFA) – I welcome the acknowledgement by the Latvian Prime Minister of the need for greater transparency in the TTIP negotiation, in recognition of the growing public interest in this proposed EU/US trade deal. In my view it is crucial that TTIP does not limit the ability of the Scottish Parliament to organise public services in the way that best fits the needs of the people of Scotland. This applies most of all to health services. TTIP must not be allowed to impede the Scottish Government’s freedom to manage healthcare in Scotland. In a broader sense TTIP must not curtail the ability of the Scottish Parliament to bring public services back into the public domain if that is the democratic will of the Scottish people, and to manage them in the way the Scottish people see fit. If these criteria are not met then the treaty would clearly be undemocratic. This will be of particular importance within areas such as procurement which could be too easily overlooked, particularly the promotion of local economic activity and local supply of food to public institutions like schools. I would not support TTIP if public services and local democracy were to be undermined.